Game: Billy Saves the World
Genre: Action, Platformer
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Midnight Paw Studios
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $24.99 | UK £20.99 | EU € 24,50
Release Date: November 26th, 2024
A review code was provided, and many thanks to Midnight Paw Studios.
Billy Saves the World: A Game of Two Styles
Billy Saves the World is a unique 2D adventure that cleverly blends precision platforming with puzzle-solving exploration. The game offers an interesting narrative filled with multiple routes and optional side quests, providing an experience that balances challenge and discovery. While Billy Saves the World is praiseworthy for attempting new gameplay ideas, it might be an acquired taste for certain players. Yet, for those willing to embrace its quirks and experiment, there’s something truly special waiting to be found.
Transported to a New World
The story follows Billy, a somewhat dim-witted but well-meaning character who starts the game by being dumped by his girlfriend after two years of dating. Just when he thinks life can’t get any worse, he is unexpectedly sucked into a mysterious portal and transported to an alien world. There, he meets a group who agree to help him return home, but not before Billy embarks on a mission to assist the local inhabitants and thwart an impending alien invasion. True to the game’s title, Billy finds himself destined to “save the world.”
At first glance, the game has a playful and witty tone, filled with pop culture references and humorous dialogue. Billy’s character is reminiscent of Fry from Futurama, lovable, clueless, and caught up in a situation way beyond his depth. Initially, the humour might feel a bit juvenile, especially if you’ve outgrown this style. Still, as the game unfolds, it reveals deeper themes of self-improvement, resilience, and learning to let go.
Choose Your Path
The core of Billy Saves the World lies in its open-ended gameplay. While there is a main questline to follow, how you approach it is largely up to you. The game splits its focus between challenging platforming levels and exploratory puzzle-solving. This freedom of choice is refreshing and keeps the experience feeling less linear and more player-driven.
What sets this game apart is its commitment to non-linear discovery. There’s no glowing arrow telling you where to go next. Instead, players are encouraged to wander, interact with NPCs, and find alternative routes through careful observation and experimentation. This lack of hand-holding can be daunting at first but becomes a rewarding aspect once you adapt. For my playthrough, I leaned more towards the precision platforming segments, as that’s where my strengths lie. However, when I hit a difficult patch, I took the opportunity to explore, interact with NPCs, and uncover new paths and clues that helped me progress. This freedom caters to players of varying skill levels, so long as they’re willing to take the time to explore.
Precision Platforming Challenges
When it comes to platforming, Billy Saves the World delivers tight, responsive controls that make navigating the levels a treat. At the start, your abilities are limited to basic jumps and slides. However, as you progress, Billy unlocks new moves such as a double jump, wall jump, and a clever meditation ability that reveals hidden platforms. Mastering these mechanics is key, and the game does a good job of organically teaching you these skills through level design rather than tutorials. Platforming levels also have branching paths. Sometimes, you fall down what seems like a deadly pit only to find a new route, given the incentive to replay.
One aspect that can be frustrating, however, is health management. Health is scarce, with potions being available but costing SP, the game’s main currency. This currency is also essential for buying items and progressing through quests, so balancing when to heal can be tricky. Dying often sends you back to the last checkpoint with the health you had upon arrival, which, for me, was often minimal, adding an extra layer of stress. That said, I realized in retrospect that exploring and finding alternative paths could have mitigated some of these issues.
Gameplay Choices and Consequences
Choice is a significant feature in Billy Saves the World, not only in gameplay mechanics but in how you interact with NPCs. Dialogue options can lead to varied outcomes. These choices aren’t always black and white, and the game isn’t afraid to leave you with ambiguous decisions where you simply have to go with your gut and accept the consequences. This approach is refreshing compared to the typical “good or evil” choices seen in many games. It also encourages replayability, as you’ll want to see how different decisions play out.
This extends to side content as well. The game is filled with optional side quests, collectable coins, and items that grant new abilities. However, many of these elements feel genuinely optional. You get out of the game what you’re willing to put into it, making it perfect for those who love digging into every corner of the world.
Visuals and Sound
Billy Saves the World employs a hand-drawn art style that, while not groundbreaking, does its job effectively. The character designs can feel a bit rudimentary, but the backgrounds and environments are impressively detailed, bringing to life this unusual alien world. Each area feels distinct, filled with unique NPCs and objects that add to the charm.
The soundtrack complements the game well, enhancing the atmosphere whether you’re navigating tricky platforming sections or calmly exploring. Sound design plays an essential role, drawing you deeper into the game world and maintaining engagement.
Conclusion: A Stellar Adventure Worth Experiencing
Ultimately, Billy Saves the World is an ambitious game that successfully merges precision platforming, puzzle-solving, and meaningful choice. I’ll admit, the game didn’t click with me immediately. It’s one that grows on you, especially as you start exploring its multifaceted approach to gameplay. For some players, the humour and mechanics will resonate right away, while others may need more time and patience to see their potential.
I wholeheartedly recommend giving this game a try, but be prepared for a learning curve. It’s worth downloading the free demo to see if its unique blend of styles suits your preferences. A free demo is available on Steam.
Final Verdict: I Like It
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